In today’s dynamic business landscape, the aviation and real estate industries share more common ground than meets the eye. “Soaring to New Heights” explores how the innovative strategies and leadership principles that propel American Airlines to success can be purposefully applied to elevate the commercial real estate sector.
In its 2024 rankings, Airports Council International (ACI) placed CLT Airport #6 in the world for air traffic. American Airlines accounts for 88% of annual commercial passenger traffic at CLT and offers non-stop service from CLT to more than 178 destinations in 27 countries. Meet the leaders of American’s Corporate Real Estate team and learn more about CLT’s competitive position for air service and plans to accommodate continued growth in the terminal, airfield, and airspace. Join us as we discover how the sky-high standards of airline excellence can help real estate professionals reach new altitudes in their careers and businesses.
Speakers:
Tracy Montross (Moderator)
Managing Director of Government Affairs
American Airlines
Tracy Montross joined American Airlines as a Regional Director of Government Affairs in January 2014. While based in Charlotte, Montross serves as the airline’s representative in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Washington, D.C., Maryland, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Tennessee. Throughout this territory, she is responsible for developing and executing regulatory and legislative proposals that may have a material effect on the company’s business operations; coordinating strategies that support operational efficiencies, tax relief, noise abatement, labor relations, corporate real estate, environmental goals, and corporate philanthropy; and represents American Airlines with various state and local governments, economic development agencies, Airports and Aviation Divisions, and industry associations to advocate for corporate and customer interests. In 2023, Montross was promoted to Managing Director with additional responsibilities for commercial strategy and business development.
Montross is active within her community and has served as Chair of the Board for the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority and the Sullenberger Aviation Museum. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, UNC Charlotte Foundation, and is a member of Women Executives.
From 2011 to 2013, Montross served as Chief of Staff for the Office of the Mayor in Charlotte, supporting both Mayors Anthony Foxx and Patsy Kinsey on local, state and national issues, constituent concerns, community relations, as well as city-wide planning for the Democratic National Convention in 2012. She began her career in public service in 2005, serving first as the Washington, D.C., scheduler and then executive assistant for U.S. Senator Max Baucus of Montana.
Montross received her master’s degree in public administration from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and a bachelor’s degree in political science and broadcast communications from Appalachian State University. She has been recognized by the Charlotte Business Journal for their Women in Business and 40 under 40 awards, as well as UNC Charlotte’s MPA Alumna of the Year, Mecklenburg Times’ 50 Most Influential Women, and the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce Young Professional’s Public Servant of the Year. Tracy and her husband, Jesse Muñoz, are parents to two young boys, Jackson Boone and Wyatt. Together, they enjoy spending time with family and friends, playing golf and traveling.
Reshma Soni
Managing Director Airport Affairs and Properties
American Airlines
Reshma Soni joined American in July 2023 as Managing Director for Airport Affairs and Properties. Reshma oversees leasing and properties relationships with half of our major hubs, including Charlotte Douglas International Airport, and over 150 non-hub airports.
From 2019 to 2023, Reshma served as City Comptroller for the City of Chicago, overseeing revenue enforcement and collection, accounts payable, insurance, expenditures and accounting and financial reporting. She also served as the Chief Financial Officer for Chicago O’Hare and Midway Airports from 2016 – 2029. Reshma started her career in auditing at Deloitte and Touche in Chicago.
Born and raised in Chicago, Reshma earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics at the University of Michigan, a Master of Accounting degree from University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business and as Master of Science in Law from Northwestern University.
Amanda Zhang
Vice President of Corporate Real Estate
Amanda Zhang is Vice President of Corporate Real Estate at American Airlines, where she oversees relationships with all of American’s hubs and 300 non-hub airports. Amanda also oversees American’s extensive construction portfolio at airports around the system and the redevelopment and facilities operation on American’s Robert L. Crandall Campus in Fort Worth, Texas.
Amanda joined American in 1996 and has served numerous management roles in Corporate Real Estate, Corporate Planning, Strategic Alliances and Financial Planning. Most recently, she served as Managing Director of Airport Affairs & Properties where she oversaw leasing and properties functions of nearly all major hubs, including Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), as well as international stations across Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and London Heathrow Airport (LHR).
She has represented American in major long-term lease negotiations and has played a key role in the development, authorization and/or implementation of multibillion-dollar capital programs at several of American’s hubs.
Born in Nanjing, China, Amanda earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature from Nanjing University. After three years of teaching, she moved to the United States seeking new opportunities and challenges and earned a Master of Business Administration at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business.
The Revelry
11:00 a.m. – Networking
11:30 a.m. – Luncheon Meeting
$55 Members/$80 Guests
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